| Child’s Right to
Representation |
Whether or not the child requests the hearing, he/she is
entitled to have an attorney or advocate, at his/her own expense, who can assist the child
in presenting the case and understanding the proceedings. |
| Child’s Attendance
and Participation |
The child's attendance and level of participation at the
hearing shall be determined by his/her age and other case specific factors. The parties to
the hearing and their counsel shall decide jointly whether or not the child should attend
or participate. In the case of a dispute, the Hearing Officer shall decide after hearing
evidence and/or argument.
Although allowed to attend, the child may be excluded from any portion of the hearing
which would be detrimental to him/her. |
| Transportation for
Child |
When the child must be present at the hearing, the Department
representative shall arrange for his/her transportation. |
| Testimony of the Child |
The child may be requested by the Hearing Officer to express
in his/her own words the child's wishes or opinions about the issues to the extent that
he/she understands them. If the child is reluctant or afraid to speak freely in the
presence of a parent or foster parent, he/she may be questioned privately by the Hearing
Officer. The Department representative may bring such a concern to the attention of the
Hearing Officer prior to the hearing. |
